Is Your Life Balanced?
By Laura Crooks, RN

The beginning of the year, and decade, is when most of us take time to make goals. Before setting yours take a step back and decide whether you are satisfied with the direction your life is going. Does the balance in your life work for you? Your sense of control and well-being can soar when you devote time to things that are meaningful.

The mythical image of a balanced life is a scale in perfect equilibrium. Life balance is closer to managing multiple spinning plates and less about equality. Balance can be integration, stability or design. Life balance is not about devoting identical amounts of time and energy to the various aspects of your life but enjoying life overall.

There is no ideal balance that works for everyone. Life is fluid, flowing in cycles or seasons that change over time (often with periods devoted primarily to career, children, family, self-improvement, retirement…). Thinking of life balance as juggling many pieces of 1 big pie, as opposed to 2 or 3 separate pies, highlights the fluidity of life without it seeming like parts of life are stealing from other areas.

An unbalanced life feels overwhelming, demanding and unfulfilling. When you have a balanced life, you will feel satisfied and enthusiastic with a sense of stability.

Reflect on how you feel during various parts of your day and week.

• What parts do you enjoy?
  
• When do you have the most physical energy, the most mental energy, the most patience?
  
• What parts of life are most satisfying?
  
• What brings you joy?
  
• What gives you a sense of accomplishment?
  
• What do you need more of?
• What parts of your day frustrate you?
• What activities leave you feeling inadequate?
  
• What activities can you let go of?
  
• What beliefs or thoughts might be holding you back from making changes?           

Start by shifting your mindset to noticing and appreciating the moments that bring you joy, purpose and accomplishment. Learn to savor small victories.

You can’t rebalance life in one neat swoop. Look at your life from both the distance perspective (what you desire) and the up-close view (your daily realities) as you decide on one small change to start with. Remember that quality can be more rewarding than quantity and balance doesn’t mean equal time or energy gets devoted to each segment of life.

Make incremental changes to create a life balance that serves you. It’s good for your health!

Laura Crooks, RN is an author, speaker and certified wellness coach ready to help you eliminate burnout, manage stress and create life balance. You can contact her at Laura@YouBloomWellness.com.

Western Pennsylvania Guide to Good Health. All rights reserved.